In May, the Republic of Ireland’s public vote to overturn the Eighth Amendment — a constitutional provision that outlawed abortion in nearly all instances — made global headlines. It marked a significant turn away from conservative and Catholic influence in Ireland and towards a more liberal, secular health policy.

The referendum in Ireland gave “hope” to women in Northern Ireland, said the UK’s Women and Equalities Minister Penny Mordaunt at the time of the vote, as women there questioned their rights in light of Ireland’s lifting of the ban.

However, abortion advocacy groups argue that being able to travel from Northern Ireland to the Irish Republic is still not a solution. They call for the UK government to decriminalize termination services in Northern Ireland. The maximum penalty for an illegal abortion in Northern Ireland is life imprisonment.

Pro-abortion rights advocacy group Alliance for Choice said in a statement: “The commitment from Ireland’s Health Minister to provide another option for those who are able to travel for services displays continued willingness to provide support, but alas many will still be unable to travel and will be forced to continue a pregnancy against their will.”

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